Daniel Cormier on Yoel Romero's callout: 'You don't fail a class and then get moved up a grade'

After Cormier (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) added the UFC heavyweight belt around his waist with a first-round knockout of Stipe Miocic at UFC 226, the dual champion said he would like to defend both belts but would only consider a return to 205 pounds for a “big fight.”

That apparently tickled the senses of Romero (13-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who, after missing weight for consecutive title fights at middleweight, is apparently plotting a return to the 205-pound division, where he began his career. He then called for a showdown with Cormier at UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in New York (via Twitter):

Cormier was asked about Romero during an appearance on FS1’s “UFC Tonight,” where he was interviewed by hosts Kenny Florian and Michael Bisping, who goaded Cormier into a response.

“Here’s the deal: I never wrestled Yoel Romero, but in wrestling he probably would have served me up,” Cormier said. “He’s one of the great wrestlers of all-time. But, you don’t fail a class and then get moved up a grade to the next one.”

Cormier was reminded that Chael Sonnen once lost a title fight against Anderson Silva at middleweight and was immediately granted a 205-pound title shot against then-champ Jon Jones. The double champion pointed out that, when it comes to that situation, Sonnen is the exception, not the rule.

“Chael Sonnen did that one time, but I don’t know what was going on,” Cormier said. “Chael has a way of doing that. Let’s just say that.”

With that said, though, Cormier still plans to defend his light heavyweight title, and it remains to be seen who could truly lure his interest.

“I don’t want them to take one of these belts,” Cormier said. “So I will defend it. I will defend the light heavyweight title if the right fight presents itself.”